Cowl ventilator screen



March 28, 1939. G. c. KNIGHT COWL VENTILATOR SCREEN Filed Sept. 9, '1937 I INVENTOR. Ge 0/51 6 6. fi m'yj f" BY wz/y ATTORI JEY.

Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED sT s PATENT OFFICE v 2,152,414 I coWL VENTILATOR SCREEN v V George 0. Knight, Detroit, Mich. Application September 9, 1937, Serial No. 163,111 I 4 Claims. (01. 98-2) This invention relates to cowl ventilator screens for automobiles and the object of the invention is to provide a screen for a cowl ventilator which may be snapped into place for attachment to the ventilator and when once snapped into place will remain in position fastened to the cowl ventilator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a screen for a cowl ventilator so arranged that as the cowl ventilator is moved upwardly the screen protects the opening produced and prevents the entry of insects and other foreign matter into the interior of the automobile through the cowl ventilator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screen for a cowl ventilator which is concealed from view when the ventilator is closed and moves upwardly to screen the opening as the cowl ventilator is opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a screen of the character described which may be sprung into position between the side flanges of the cowl ventilator and which, when sprung into position, is locked from movement in any direction in relation to the cowl ventilator.

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shown in the accompanying drawing in which-- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cowl ventilator showing my screen used in connection therewith.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken through the ventilator and contiguous portion of the cowl.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line 33 of Fig. 2 through the screen and through the side flanges of the cowl ventilator on which the screen is mounted.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the screen.

The screen is shown more particularly in Fig. 5 and comprises a sheet metal channel frame composed of a top frame member I and a bottom frame member 2 together with end members 3 and 4. The screen 5 is secured within these channel frame members and the end members 3 and 4 are each provided with outwardly struck lugs 6 which are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The cowl l is formed with end portions 8 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 and each end portion 8 is provided with an inturned flange 9 at the forward edge. Each flange 9 as shown more particularly in Fig. 4 is provided with a notch l0 and each end of the screen is provided with a lug or look member ll shown more particularly in Fig. 2.

To secure the screen to the cowl ventilator, the screen is bowed so that the lugs H at the opposite ends may slip into the notches H] in the flanges 9 of the cowl ventilator and, at the same time, the lugs 6 may engage over the edge of the inturned flanges 9 as will be understood from Figs. 3 and 4. When so installed, the lugs 6 firmly engage the edges of the flanges 9 at the opposite ends of the cowl ventilator and the lugs ll fit into the notches ID in the flanges 9 and prevent vertical movement of the screen on the flanges 9 in either direction. At the same time, the lugs 6 prevent horizontal movement of the screen in either direction on the cowl ventilator and thus the screen is firmly secured to the cowl ventilator.

The upper edge [2 of the frame member I of the screen is shaped to fit against and conform to the front edge of the cowl ventilator and the entire screen is curved to the same radius as the curve at the forward edge of the cowl ventilator. As the cowl ventilator is raised, the screen raises with the cowl ventilator until the frame member 2 is approximately flush with the top of the automobile hood.

The screen may be readily removed by bowing it and springing the lugs out of engagement with the flanges 9 and may be thus readily replaced if desired. Thus, with this screen, the screen may be attached for summer driving and removed for winter driving, if desired.

From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the device is very simple and efiicient in operation, will not easily get out of order, may be manufactured at a low cost and provides a device which accomplishes the objects described.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. A cowl ventilator screen for use with a cowl ventilator having inturned en-d flanges in which each flange is provided with a notch, a sheet metal screen frame, a pair of lugs struck up from each end of the sheet metal screen frame and arranged to be engaged over the inturned flanges at the opposite ends of the cowl ventilator and a member extending outwardly from each end of the screen frame and arranged to engage in the notches of the flanges as the lugs of the screen frame are engaged over said inturned flanges.

2. A cowl ventilator screen for use with a cowl ventilator having inturned parallel flanges at the forward edge each provided with a notch, a screen having a frame provided with lugs for engagement in the notches to prevent vertical movement of the screen in relation to the cowl ventilator and means on the screen frame engaging the Q} inturned flanges of the cowl ventilator and preventing horizontal movement of the screen in relation to the cowl ventilator.

3. A cowl ventilator screen for use on a cowl ventilator having side members and a top memm} ber, saidside members each having .an inturned flange at a distance'to the rear of the respective forward edges, a screen member including a frame and a screen secured thereto, said screen frame having lugs for engagement with the flanges on the said side members 'of the ventilator frame and when positioned thereon, the forward face of the screen member is supported substantially flush with the forward edges of the said side members.

4. A cowl ventilator screen for use with a hinged cowl ventilator having a pair of oppositely disposed flanges at its respective opposite ends spaced rearwardly of the forward end of the ventilator, a spring metal screen frame having a length and width approximately equal to the length and width of the forward face of the ventilator, lugs at each end of and on the inner side of the screen frame for engaging the said wflanges of the ventilator permitting the mounting of the screen frame thereonby bending the frame longitudinally to engage the lugs of the screen frame beneath the flanges of the ventilator providing a construction wherein the screen member may ;be sprung into place and retained by the tension of the screen frame permitting ready removal or replacement.

GEORGE C. KNIGHT- 

